Page 23 of Sip
I should’ve found a way to talk with her again when she wasn’t high, to ease the tension between us. I owe her—we— owe her more than she probably can comprehend. I stride directly to her. No reason for delay. I must relieve her discomfort. As gently as I can I drag my palms over her tense shoulders, yet she still jerks involuntarily under my fingers. “Don’t be scared angel. Everything’s going to be okay.”
She doesn’t soften from my words, so I try again with my touch. Caressing her silky skin on each side of the thin straps of her negligee as I climb onto the bed behind her. Shane holds her elegant hands in his, and I flick my gaze to him, fucking hating him even more for finally showing her kindness after acting so aloof and indifferent all this time.
His expression remains impassive. No hint of what he thinks or feels under the stony countenance. So I return my focus to her. She needs me. I nuzzle the side of her neck, placing soft kisses up to her cheek. Fuck me if she doesn’t turn her face to allow me to taste her lips. The absurdity hits me hard. I’m the only man to have ever kissed her. I may not have fucked her first, but I’ve given her something almost as special for an innocent woman like her. “You’re beautiful little pixie. So unbelievably beautiful.”
Wild blue eyes pop open, scanning mine with frantic movements. I cup her jaw, eager to reassure her. I want to hold her close and make her feel treasured, which is as foreign to me as the feeling is to her. “I promise to be gentle and take things slow.”
She nods against my fingers and gives me a brave smile, so desperate to please us.
“You’re doing great honey. You’re going to take my brother’s cock so well. Ass up and on your knees just like we talked about.”
Shane’s harsh instructions destroy our connection, and her head whips in her husband’s direction, twisting side to side.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I d-don’t think I c-can do this.”
She scrambles off the mattress, convulsing and gasping for air. Tight fists press against her mouth, and she begins to shut down. Overwhelmed with the expectations we’ve demanded of her.
Fuck this. We’re done. I jump up too, and Shane mimics me, grabbing for Grace as she struggles to stay upright. He draws her to him as she pants, holding her awkwardly and patting her back like a man forbidden to touch any other part of her. When he lifts his gaze to the ceiling, I want to punch him blind from his impatience with her. God damn him.
Fuck it. I rip a blanket off the bed and tuck the fabric around her trembling body. I’m over all of his selfish bullshit. I grasp her shoulders and gently as I can turn her to me. She doesn’t protest when I tuck her against my chest. Just snuggles in as she fights her tears, shuddering from the deep breaths she struggles to take.
She’s mine now to comfort and protect. Holding her tight, I rest my lips against her hair and whisper soothing reassurances against the wavy strands.
Catching my eyes above her head, he approves of my dominance with a strong nod. Fucking ridiculous he can’t even figure out how to soothe his own wife. I shut him out and focus on her. I hope she ignores him too. Despite his presence, it’s only the two of us right now. The way it should always be.
Shane shifts on his feet, and I swear to god he’d check his watch if he was wearing one. I’ve never despised him more than I do in this moment. I jerk my head toward the damn door. Leave motherfucker if you’re that fucking bored.
Without a second of hesitation, he nods again and heads out. Abandoning her when she needs him the most. When she needs strength and patience. When she needs to feel loved. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. On my terms with what’s best for her.
As soon as the knob clicks shut, I scoop her up and curl her against me. Stunned and confused, she presses her hand against my chest, struggling to look up at me.
“Wh-where are we going?”
I kiss her forehead. “My room.”
When she lays her head on my shoulder, I know she’s truly mine, and I’m never letting her go.
Itug the comforter up to cover her profile, leaving an inch for her to breathe. No need to advertise the fact I’m carrying my sister-in-law half-naked to my bedroom. If any staff see me in the corridor between our wings, hopefully they’ll think I brought back someone from my trip. Kind of unlikely since I’ve never brought a woman home before but I don’t want anyone judging her for our mistakes. For us being fucked up.
Other than one of the handymen, positioning his ladder to fix on the leaky skylight in the library, no one else is around during our trek. Thank fuck. Once we enter my room, I kick my door closed with my foot and carry her to the sitting area in front of the floor to ceiling windows. White crystals dust the field from the last snowfall, sparkling as they catch the moonlight. Soon wildflowers will bloom that I never gave a thought to until now since I know Grace will love the natural beauty filling our property again.
I drop down into the chair facing the late wintry view, guiding her legs to bend on each side of me. Shy and shivering, she keeps her face tucked into my neck as she takes deep breaths against my throat. I massage her taut muscles until some of the tension loosens. All I want is for her to be calm before we do anything else. “I know things got weird back there but it’s okay. We’re okay.”
Not sure how it’s possible but she tucks in even tighter, responding to my reprieve. I blow out a sigh. Glad we’re making progress. “Being in this life forces us into situations we don’t expect but sometimes they prove how strong we are. You’re a strong woman for agreeing to do this for us.”
“I feel too scared to be strong.”
Her whisper tickles my blazing skin. As least she’s finally talking. “All that proves is that you’re tougher than you ever knew because you’re facing your fear rather than running away from it.”
She lifts from my chest, and I sweep a few hairs tangled off her pale cheeks. Bundling the long hair together, I imagine controlling her head while I fuck her mouth. My dick hardens under her pussy from the thought, and her lips part beautifully as she gasps in recognition. Not fear this time taking her oxygen. “I’ve known all along how tough you are.”
The absolute truth. Being submissive doesn’t mean you’re weak. She’s resilient as fuck to survive this world and be as positive as she is. We haven’t broken her, and I’m not going to let Shane’s request be what finally does. “If you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to. We can figure out something else.”
I’m not sure what that is but I have to give her the out. Fuck me if she shakes her head and gives me a small smile. She really is courageous.
“I can do it…if it’s with you.”
With you. Jesus. Repulsive as all of this is, I’m a lucky fucking bastard she trusts me to be the one to try and get her pregnant. With my fist tangled in the low ponytail I created, I stroke her cheek with my free hand. My fingertips drift from her temple to her jaw, curling to cup her chin. All of her attention must be focused on my words. “I missed you while I was gone.”
